Ahh, denim. Denim is a longtime love of mine and something that is consistently present here on the fashion site, so it should come as no surprise that it is the (fashionably late) style staple! If you’re just now tuning in to the series, I’m covering style staples all throughout the year to help you build a foundation for your wardrobe. Much like anything in life, it’s important to start with the essentials before branching out and experimenting with new trends.

The Style Staples

Before diving into this post, catch up on the style staples previously covered on the site:

• #1 – Defining Closet Staples
• #2 – The Classic Watch
• #3 – The Leather Jacket 
• #4 – White Sneakers
• #5 – The Little White Dress
• #6 – The Trench Coat

Wearing Topshop Raw Hem Straight Leg Denim

The Denim Guide | How to Find Your Perfect Jeans

Finding the perfect pair of jeans is no easy feat. Not only do you have to find a pair that fits you well, but you also need to have a good idea of what you’re looking for. Before shopping for jeans ask yourself a few of the questions below to help narrow down your search:

• What price point are you looking to stay within?
• Do you prefer denim to be sturdy or have some stretch?
• Which wash style do you prefer?
• Are you looking for a particular fit?

One of the best ways to find your perfect pair of jeans is to simply go out in the field! Try on a variety of styles and brands to get more familiar with what you like, making note of which sizes fit best for each brand.

The Best Jeans for Your Body Type

• If you are tall and lean, boyfriend jeans look fantastic on you! The looser fit adds volume to your frame without throwing off your proportions. You can dress boyfriends up with an off the shoulder romantic top and heeled sandals, or keep it casual with a graphic tee and white sneakers. With a slender frame, you can also get away with wearing stiff denim.

• If you have an hourglass figure, denim with a stretch is your best friend. Stiff denim is difficult to wear if you have curves because the denim won’t hug your curves and will instead create the dreaded gap between your waist and rear. As for the style, straight leg and high-waisted jeans are your best friend.

• Do you fall somewhere in between? Skinny jeans are a great option for you! Skinny jeans typically come in varying degrees of “skinny”, so test a few out to see how you like the fit around your ankle. This is my go-to option when I don’t have a particular outfit in mind because skinny jeans go with everything in my wardrobe–tops and shoes included. They are the effortless style and often have a comfortable stretch without losing that denim feel.

Where to Shop for Denim

As a huge fan of denim, I’ve naturally developed a love of certain brands over the years. As you shop around and get started with curating a denim collection, below are the stores and/or brands I recommend checking out:

• Topshop – Topshop is my go-to shop for high-waisted skinny jeans. Their Jamie jeans are extremely comfortable and fit nice and snug at the waist. I also like that they come in a variety of lengths so I can choose the best hem for the occasion.
• Zara – What fashion girl doesn’t love Zara? I may have mentioned previously that Zara is my favorite place to find denim shorts, but it’s also my favorite place for black jeans and trendy jeans. Zara denim tends to have less of a stretch, but I always like to check them out when I am looking with denim with some character.
• Levis – Naturally, I can’t have a denim post without mentioning the classic denim brand. Levis, specifically the 501 straight and 535 skinny styles, are classic for a reason. They flatter every body type and have the best medium wash tones. If you’d like to be extra sustainable, you can shop Levis through Re/Done, the brand with a modern take on sustainable fashion.
• BDG – Last but not least is the BDG brand, sold at Urban Outfitters. BDG makes dependable denim and their sizing is consistent across their various styles.

One additional brand I would like to mention but can’t add to my personal list is American Eagle. I say this because while I have not personally tried their jeans, American Eagle is consistently recommended to me when I ask other women for their favorite denim recommendations. From the advice I’ve heard, American Eagle is best for those of you with curvier hips who feel like you can never find the perfect fit anywhere else.

What tips do you have when it comes to shopping for denim?

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